Impacto ambiental da covid-19 nas doenças negligenciadas (dengue, tuberculose, leishmaniose e hanseníase) existentes no estado de Alagoas

Abstract

The study evaluated the environmental impact of COVID-19 on neglected diseases in the State of Alagoas. Data on neglected diseases (dengue, tuberculosis, leishmaniasis and leprosy) and COVID-19 were obtained from the DATASUS system between 03/2020 and 01/2023. Both sets of health data along with census data (IBGE - 2010) and climate data (TerraClimate) were subjected to descriptive and multivariate statistical techniques (cluster analysis - AA). In the study, the maps were created using Quantum GIS (QGIS) version 3.16. The results of the AA technique applied to municipalities in the mesoregions of the State showed that the East formed two homogeneous groups (G1 and G2). The Hinterland and Arid Zone mesoregions formed three homogeneous groups (G1, G2 and G3) of COVID-19 cases. The disease most impacted in the scenario before and during COVID-19 in Alagoas was dengue. In the East, dengue impacted Maceió, Penedo and Maragogi. In Agreste, only Arapiraca. Tuberculosis in the east impacted Maceió, followed by Arapiraca in the Hinterland and Arid Zone, only Santana do Ipanema and Delmiro Gouveia. Leishmaniasis only impacted Maceió. Leprosy impacted Maceió and União dos Palmares (East), followed by Arapiraca in the Hinterland and Arid Zone, Delmiro Gouveia and Santana do Ipanema. The Pearson correlation (r) showed that between the Total COVID-19 and the sociodemographic variables were positive and with a high correlation (r > 0.90), the exception was the Gini index (r = 0.61). The correlations between Total COVID-19 by mesoregion and sociodemographic variables were positive, except for the Gini index (r = 0.47). The correlation between COVID-19 cases in the 1st wave and precipitation (r = -0.7), humidity (r = -0.63) and temperature (r = -0.57) were negative, except for atmospheric pressure (r = 0.64). In the second wave, the correlation between COVD-19 and atmospheric pressure remained positive (r = 0.84). The results obtained from Multiple Linear Regression Model (MRLM) showed that Maceió had a significant correlation between cases and wind speed (1st wave) and water vapor pressure (2nd wave), followed by Mata Grande between precipitation and cases, only in 1st wave and Palestine, with a significant correlation between precipitation, vapor pressure and cases in the 2nd wave. The exceptions were Penedo, Arapiraca and Palmeira dos Índios, with no correlation. In short, COVID-19 had an impact on Alagoas and actions are necessary post-pandemic to protect the population, especially the most socially vulnerable.